Kirk presses administration on Taliban release

CHICAGO – U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Illinois) and Ken Luccioni, stepfather of Pfc. Matthew Martinek, who was killed in Afghanistan during a search for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, Monday called on President Obama to provide answers and an explanation regarding the release of five Taliban leaders from Guantanamo.

In exchange for Bergdahl, Obama ignored both the law and the recommendations of his own panel of advisors to release the prisoners, according to a press release from Kirk's office. Kirk, along with 10 other senators, sent a letter to the president demanding answers as to why he took this action, and requested that the other 149 Guantanamo detainees remain in custody until further notice.

Bergdahl was captured by the Taliban in 2009 and held as a prisoner of war in Afghanistan until his release May 31.

Martinek, an Illinois native, was killed in 2009 at age 20 on a mission to find Bergdahl. Luccioni joined with Kirk Monday to emphasize the need for answers from the administration.

"Matthew was born on December 7th, and died on September 11th – he was born a soldier and died a soldier," Kirk said. "I will continue to fight to make sure that Matt's ultimate sacrifice is respected and not in vain. There should be no more fathers like Ken whose children are taken by the very terrorists that soldiers like Matt fought so hard to put behind bars."